Albufeira

Albufeira is located right in the centre of the Algarve and is arguably the most famous place for a good time. The name Albufeira comes from the arab 'Al-Buhera' meaning 'Castle of the Sea'. Originally a fortified Roman town and for hundred's of years a typical Algarvian fishing village with rows of little white-washed houses and the smell of sardines grilling in the air, today Albufeira is a thriving location and one of Europe's most sought after destinations.

There is a huge variety of acommodation available in Albufeira from the camping site to the luxury 5* hotels and of course an extensive range of self catering accommodation. The resorts central location makes it a firm favourite for the many golfers who visit Algarve for the variety of golf courses on offer.

There are some excellent beaches, especially 'the Fisherman's Beach' - Praia dos Pescadores which can be accessed by a tunnel in the centre of the town. The beaches are wonderful but during the summer they can get crowded and busy so if you don't want to share with the hundred's of others just check out our guide to the best beaches of algarve and explore some of the smaller, quieter beaches near Galé on the outskirts of Albufeira.

Until the 1960's Albufeira was a sleepy fishing village like so many along the coast. It has since become such a popular destination that it became a 'city' in 1986 and today it's boundaries continue to expand. There are restaurants for all tastes and budgets and Albufeira has certainly the liviest nightlife in Algarve, with the focus being on it's more modern centre which is located just 2km east. Montechoro has a big variety of bars, clubs and restaurants along what has been dubbed 'The Strip'

The old town of Albufeira is centered around the main square, a short walk from the beach, packed with restaurants. There are also plenty of bars, discos, street theatre, live bands and a multitude of events, festivals and concerts during the summer months. Albufeira loves a party and one of the biggest is the new year with concerts in the old town and a mega exhibition of fireworks on the beach.

To the West of the town you have the new marina - a very colourful collection of apartments, restaurants and shops. And home too to some impressive yachts. There are several boat companies that offer coastal cruises and dolphin watching trips from the marina. And of course, you can also enjoy the dolphins at nearby Zoomarine.

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